Tunes Tuesday: Tracy Chapman "For My Lover" (live)

Normally I don't go for the live versions of things, but Tracy's just gorgeous live.

Series Review: Political Animals

I'll start this review by admitting fully that I only found this series because I searched "Sebastian Stan" on Netflix, and this was the thing I hadn't seen. So my motives going in were as shallow as they come. 

Thank god they reward shallowness in my world.

'The pleasant surprise for this miniseries that reads like it should be an introduction to a full series (and sadly isn't) is that it's really, really good. Yes, okay, tune in to watch Sebastian Stan being beautiful and making out with boys. I did. But Sigourney Weaver is ridiculously charismatic, and particularly if you're someone who enjoys things like The West Wing, you're going to get sucked in fast.

I told you - I'm shallow. 

The pace is quick, the dialogue is sharp, the actors are all fantastic. Since there are only six episodes to get through, it's a quick watch and well worth the time. Now streaming on Netflix.

Tunes Tuesday: Pet Shop Boys - Vulnerable

Why I'm Not Ashamed of Writing RPS

The whole cast is a gateway drug. It wasn't my fault.

First, lets's start with the terminology. RPF is real person fiction, and RPS is real person slash. Slash (for those who may not know) is fan fiction pairing two characters of the same gender. So RPS is fiction about two actual people of the same gender hooking up. 

Even in the fic community, RPF of any sort is often looked down on. We can all allow that there's a creepy factor. You're talking about actual people, not fake people! And, heck, some people take issue with shipping (liking two characters paired together romantically) in fic at all when it isn't cannon. Or with fan fiction as a whole. Or with the air with breathe. Ahem, I digress. The context here is to realize that a lot of people just aren't comfortable with the idea of RPF and RPS.

Epic fucking trolls, these boys.

So why am I not in the least bit ashamed of having written it? Shouldn't I be apologizing profusely via fan mail for the wrongs of the past? Um, no. First of all, fan fiction is written by fans generally to be read by other fans. It's not for the celebrities or show runners... and amusing as the gif sets of celebs being confronted with fic can be, I'm generally horrified when fans or interviewers spring that sort of thing on the celebrities in question. It's tacky and creepy. Hey, if they like trolling Tumblr on their own (hi, Mark Ruffalo!), then that's wonderful. But that's also their choice.

See? Terrible influences.

So it's okay because the people it's about don't see it? Well, yeah, partly, but there's also the fact that for me, I'm not really writing about a real person. I don't know the real person. I'm writing a fictionalized version of a person who I'm making up based on interviews or random perceptions or pictures. Despite it being called "real person slash," there's nothing real about it. There are definitely people for whom those lines are blurred, but I'm happy to say I'm not one of them. I have boundaries. I have common sense. I also have clear warnings and information attached to all of the fiction that I write so that those who don't want to read it can avoid it like the plague. 

For those of you who are also fic writers, have you ever dabbled in RPS or RPF? Do you cringe when you think about it? Do you still write it? 

Hottie of the Week: Ming-Na Wen

Not only is this how you do beautiful, it's how you do timeless beauty. I swear she never ages, and she's always fantastic. Ming-Na is easily one of the most engaging parts of Agents of SHIELD, though frankly I'll watch her in pretty much anything. Complete class. 

Bonus Clark Gregg because why have one hottie when you can have two?

I love a woman who looks like she could kill me with her pinkie finger.

Happy Fourth of July Hottie: Jeremy Renner

This is why waxing is bad. Because this? This is sexy as all hell.

Yes, okay, I admit that Captain America would have been more appropriate to the holiday, but I was in a Hawkeye mood. Sorry for the long hiatus, but hopefully Jeremy is more than lovely enough to make up for it. I have a thing for dudes with expressive eyes, and Jeremy looks like he could be related to Jensen Ackles. Talented, lovely, and a superhero: what's not to like?

Them eyes, tho.

I like a man who's a good listener.

Mind if I join you, Jeremy?

Tunes Tuesday: "Can't Let Go" by Linda Ronstadt

Happy Camp NaNoWriMo, folks! Linda Ronstadt's always a good way to get some inspiration flowing, so enjoy!